The win kept Pekin (22-5, 9-2) within striking distance of Mid-Illini co-leaders Limestone and Metamora with matches coming up against both teams next week in the final week of the conference season after the Dragons face Mid-Illini foe Washington on Thursday.

Limestone beat Metamora 23-25, 26-24, 25-19 Tuesday to pull even with the Redbirds for first place. The Rockets (23-3, 10-1) were led by seniors Brittany Robinson (23) and Sara Carr (13), who combined for 36 kills.

Metamora (27-5, 10-1) swept through the conference schedule the first time to take sole possession of first place. However, the Redbirds are now even with matches against Dunlap, Pekin and East Peoria remaining.

Limestone will play Dunlap, Pekin and Canton.

Coach has 202 wins: In a win over Morton last week, Limestone volleyball coach Shelly Stoner earned the 200th victory of her career. Following Tuesday night’s win over Metamora, she’s 202-70 in her eighth year as the Rockets’ coach.

Stoner has won three Mid-Illini Conference and regional championships at Limestone, and is competing for a fourth conference crown.

“To me, 200 is just a number. I’m surrounded by good assistants and I’ve been fortunate to have great players,” she said.

“I try my hardest each day to get the most out of my players. I feel that’s my strongest point. I didn’t get the 200 wins. It’s not me. It’s our program, the athletes and coaches who do the little things behind the scenes nobody sees.”

Picking up the slack: The Dunlap volleyball team could have folded when senior leader Savannah Sullivan was lost for the season with a torn ACL.

“We’ve had a lot of people become team leaders,” said Eagles coach Jennifer Bartlett. “Savannah kept everybody in matches mentally.”

Dunlap (15-5, 5-5) entered Tuesday’s match against Washington in fourth place in the Mid-Illini Conference.